Eco-faith community

The Season of Creation is celebrated in many countries, and challenges us to re-orient our relationship with creation. While the challenge may have been provoked by the current ecological crisis and a growing awareness of our place in the web of creation, the origins of our re-orientation lie deep in our Christian tradition, especially our biblical heritage.  We are challenged to return to our biblical roots to rediscover our intimate connections with creation. We return to see ourselves again as part of the very Earth from which we are made.

Very topical with discussions about climate change, environmental issues, fracking, and 'green' solutions to generating power.

Rev Dr Jason John is a Deacon in the Uniting Church in Australia. Eco-ministry is 0.6 of his placement and he is also a minister at Sawtell Uniting Church. The photo shows a combined outdoor service at Gleniffer. Jason's sermon on the day can be found here:http://unitingearthweb.org.au/ - look under worship>season of creation>forests.
I wonder how many other Deacons/Deaconesses around the world are involved in eco-ministry of some form or other?

Jason did his PhD exploring biocentric thought. The abstract begins:
"Anthropocentrism assumes that human beings alone are created in the image of God, charged with dominion over Earth, and responsible for the fallenness of creation, though not necessarily through the actions of a literal Adam and Eve. Earth began to be talked about not as an inanimate resource for human consumption, but something good and valuable in and of itself. Having listened carefully to the story of life as told by ecological and evolutionary scientists, I conclude that the traditional anthropocentric paradigm is no longer tenable.  Instead I propose that all of life is the image of God, in its evolutionary past, ecological present and unknown future.  All of life is in direct relationship with God, and exercises dominion of Earth.  Evidence traditionally used as evidence of the fallenness of creation is instead affirmed as an essential part of life'. Jason's thesis is online at the link above.

LET THE EARTH BREATHE
by Rev Ellie Stock from St. Louis, Missouri
Let the Earth breathe!
Let its heart beat,
    pulsing and firing the fruit of its seed.
Let four winds tease,
    air bright and clean.
    converging and swirling through life’s mystery.

Let waters wreathe.
Let rivers be,
    pristine and free from deep valleys to seas.
Let singing streams
    stir slumbering leagues,
    awakening the dreamer and changing the dream.

    Let mountains rise!
    Let forests thrive—
        primal communities birthed to survive.
    Let kindred be wise,
        not compromise
        their courage and care for greed’s beckoning lies.

Let oceans race!
Let new waves chase
    ancient tides washing ashore cosmic grace.
Let rhythms of peace,
    still conflict’s pace,
    emerging, connecting in trust’s healing place,
bold creatures revealing hope’s eternal face,
beloving, one dwelling, in Earth’s sacred space.

Fiji concludes golden jubilee celebrations with ordinations

Great to follow the celebrations of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma. The golden jubilee celebrations 50 years of independence from the Methodist Church of Australasia. It has concluded with ordinations of ministers and a deaconess, Asena Senimoli. She is married to a Methodist Minister. After the ordination, the Deaconesses gathered at her home for a celebration meal which she and her husband, friends and family hosted. We wish her every blessing for her ministry.
There are photos of the ordination on Facebook, and I've added three below. It's lovely that Rev Deac Marion Gledhill (Australia) was also able to join the celebrations.
You may be interested to know about Nae Tabe, a new publication of the Methodist church in Fiji. The name, Nae Tabe, refers to a serving plate or leaf on which food is served to guests, and is indicative of the renewed focus of being a servant, mission-focussed church.
This first edition includes a feature about deaconesses on Page 5. I was interested to read the following:
'The time has come for the Vada ni Turaga - the 'servants' or 'messengers of the Lord' - to begin to make a difference in new areas of the community through specialised ministries such as children's ministry, providing care for the aged, and hospital ministry. Issues such as child abuse, violence against women, poverty and other current issues, including the impact of media in society all point the way for the re-envisioning of the role of the Deaconess Order'.

Deaconess ordination service

Deaconesses singing during the ordination service

newly ordained Ministers and Deaconess

Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma

Deaconess Meresiana

The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma has been meeting for the annual conference, the Golden Jubilee celebration, in the last week of August and it is great news that Deaconess Salanieta Naucabalavu has been appointed to continue as Secretary for Methodist Women’s Fellowship.
Some of it has been streamed live - though I don't understand the language, it's great to tune into from time to time to get a feel of what is happening. Every so often English is used so it's possible to get the gist of what people are speaking about.
It is great that the church has been able to meet in this way. Those who were at the Atlanta Assembly will remember the news that the church had forbidden to meet by the military government. 

Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma 2014 Conference

Such courage in the face of oppression

"Compassion is not just feeling with someone, but seeking to change the situation. Frequently people think compassion and love are merely sentimental. No! They are very demanding. If you are going to be compassionate, be prepared for action!" Desmond Tutu 

I'm sure we all share grave concerns about what is happening in Iraq, and appalled by the violence and persecution of Christians, and the shocking and barbaric images in the media.

I was very moved to learn today about Mahmoud Al ‘Asali, a law professor who lectured on pedagogy at the University of Mosul. Mosul is Iraq's second largest city, and one of the holiest cities of Christianity in the Middle East. Christians have inhabited Mosul for nearly two millennia, and the ancient churches of Mosul are some of Christianity's oldest. 

As a Muslim, Professor Al 'Asali chose not to keep silent about the violence and persecution being inflicted against Mosul's Christians who have been forced to choose between converting to the Muslim faith, paying the jizyah (the Islamic tax for non-Muslims, about $US 450 a month, which is an impossible sum for anyone living in Northern Iraq to pay) or fleeing. Professor Mahmoud Al ‘Asali had the courage to make a stand against this brutal duress which he believed goes against the Muslim commandments. But he paid for this gesture with his life: he was killed by ISIS militants in Mosul on the 22nd July. 

Professor Ali ‘Asali knew what he was risking. Many human rights activists have paid for their opposition to ISIS’ acts of intolerance with their own lives. But Al ‘Asali was nevertheless unable to stand by in silence. 
 
Some Muslims have launched the “I am Iraqi, I am Christian” campaign in response to the letter N’s written on the walls of Christian homes in Mosul. They are risking their lives to support the Iraqi Christians. To stand up against ISIS, even in peaceful protest, is to invite torture and death upon yourself.

When ISIS militants took over the city of Mosul in June, they painted the Arabic letter nun — symbolizing the word Christian (N is for Nasare – a Muslim term for Christians which derives from Nazareth) — on the houses of Christian residents. Since then, it is reported that up to half a million people have fled Mosul. To protest their expulsion from Mosul, Iraqi Christians are trying to reclaim the 'nun' by sharing the image on social media, and people of all faiths are joining in solidarity. You may have seen the image. May it be a reminder to remember not only the plight of the Christians, but also those brave Muslims who are standing in solidarity with the Christians.

We need to keep telling the stories of hope, of solidarity, of compassion.

Let us pray for the refugees, like the peoples of Mosul, forced by violence to abandon their homes because of their faith: that they may find from the international community a generous welcome and the protection of their rights.

Source includes Vatican Insider

Remembering the carers

This reflection by Thom Shuman on the gospel text (lectionary) for the week has a focus on the one who cares for another who is suffering from illness, dis-ease and other troubles. For this woman, it is her daughter. For others, it will be family, or friends, colleagues, or even strangers. With the passing of Robin Williams, and a reminder of the darkness and suffering that so many people endure in life, it is also timely to remember those who patiently care, support, and simply love others, holding them in embrace and prayer. Many engaged in diaconal ministry will know the challenge of this kind of deep caring, and identify with the actions and words of the woman at the end - "she dropped to her knees whispering, 'help me'......"

At the end of her rope (based on Matthew 15:21-28)
she forces open her
                eyes,
   shaking the cobwebs
   from her thoughts,
      wondering how
      does three hours
         pass so quickly,
      and give so little
             rest to a
             weary soul?

once again (almost as
         ritualistically
         as the prayers
         which are never
             answered),
   she cradles her daughter,
      pouring the waters
            over her from
            head to toe,
        hoping they might
        chill the fiendish
              fires deep
           inside her;
   she picks up the
      spoon smacked out
         of her hand,
      dipping it into the
               bowl,
         trying to bring
         a few drops of
             strength
             to the cracked
                    lips;
   she listens, as the
      curses spew out
         of that broken
                heart,
        answering (as
            she always will),
   'i love you,
        you are my heart,
             you are my joy.'

laying the exhausted
      child in her bed,
   she steps outside
            for a quick
            breath of hope,
         and at the sight
               of the one
               the neighbors
               had been
         talking about, she
      dropped to her
                knees
             whispering,
   'help me . . .                   (c) 2014  Thom M. Shuman

BEATITUDES FOR CAREGIVERS

Blessed are those who care and who are not afraid to show it — they will let people know they are loved. 

Blessed are those who are gentle and patient — they will help people to grow as the sun helps the buds to open and blossom.

Blessed are those who have the ability to listen — they will lighten many a burden.

Blessed are those who know how and when to let go — they will have the joy of seeing people find themselves.

Blessed are those who, when nothing can be done or said, do not walk away, but remain to provide a comforting and supportive presence — they will help the sufferer to bear the unbearable.

Blessed are those who recognize their own need to receive, and who receive with graciousness — they will be able to give all the better.

Blessed are those who give without hope of return — they will give people an experience of God.

peacemakers in a fractured world

God of Peace and Love,
How do we bring peace to the world?
How do we confront the power of anger, hate and violence without resorting to such means ourselves?
How do we overcome ignorance, apathy, hate and prejudice?
How do we address these things not only in others, but also sometimes painfully in ourselves?
How do we find peace in ourselves?
How can we bring peace to others?
How do we confront injustice peacefully?
How do we still heightened emotion?
How do we calm troubled lives?
How do we resolve long-standing and deep -seated conflict?
How do we work for reconciliation in the midst of entrenched enmity, resentment, hatred and bitterness?
God of peace, hope and love,
Join us to your purpose.
Join all to your purpose.
Bring peace.
In the name of the Prince of Peace,
May it be so
Amen

Jon Humphries

Happy anniversary to the LDA!

Happy anniversary to the Lutheran Deaconess Association, celebrating 95 years of ministry on 14th August. So much has happened since 1919! Remember LDA in your prayers and especially the Executive Director, Lisa Polito, and the recently consecrated Deacons and Deaconesses.